Yes, I saw it, and thank you for commenting. You probably also saw that I did make that point that she isn't perfect. I would certainly never claim that. That is the point - I see the show through the lens of dysfunctional family dynamics, which is very familiar to me. Just so you know, I will make other posts about the Summers women on this site in part because I'm interested in women. Giles and Spike etc get a ton of ink as it is.

I don't see Joyce as representing mothers in general or motherhood, because she's way too different from my own mother for me to see her that way.

Neither do I, but there are points of recognition for me in the dynamic, and I know that's true of some other people. It is what it is. I wish that weren't so, because I wouldn't wish that knowledge or experience on anyone anyone. My mother did endure a lot, as did my siblings and myself. I'm trying to understand, not judge, because I object to the notion that women have to be "perfect" - as mothers, daughters, etc. Or that love doesn't exist unless the relationships are the tv advertisement version of "perfect".

It wasn't about the main topic of the entry, because I felt that was too sensitive for me to address well.

I appreciate your sensitivity on the matter, especially if it's a "hot" issue for you, as it is for me. Hence the plentiful disclaimers at the top. ;) My wish was to share an experience without verbally "battering" anyone, and voice solidarity with others.